Star Bright: Belmont Celebrities

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Funny Cide's bid to win the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on Saturday is turning New York into a "one-horse town." Sackatoga Stable's hero will not only bring out the equine stars to challenge him and run on the undercard, but will bring out a gaggle of luminaries from Hollywood and New York as well as heavyweights from the political arena.

According to officials with the New York Racing Association, the following media players will be playing the ponies at Belmont Park on June 7:

Sarah Jessica Parker, the star of the HBO show, "Sex in the City," which is based in New York, and her husband, actor Matthew Broderick

Meredith Viera, host of the daytime version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," and "The View"

From the HBO mob drama, "The Sopranos:" Tony Sirico, Steve Schrippa, John Ventimiglia, and Michael Imperioli

Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg, and his wife, Kate Capshaw; Spielberg is part of Biscuit Stables which owns a 10% interest in Atswhatimtalknbout. The horse will not be running in the Belmont despite running fourth in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I)

Actress Goldie Hawn

Judge Judy (Shireland)

ABC news correspondent Diane Sawyer

Actress Katherine Kelly Lang of the daytime drama, "The Bold and the Beautiful"

Mike Francesca, anchor for WFAN radio and Thoroughbred owner

Kenny Mayne of ESPN

Governor George Pataki and New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg will be in attendance; Bloomberg will present the trophy to the winner of the Manhattan Stakes (gr. IT) while Pataki will present the Belmont trophy

U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (Mississippi); Mary Landrieu (Louisiana), Richard Shelby (Alabama), and Charles E. Schumer (New York) will be in attendance

Albany mayor Jerry Jennings, as well as about 15 members of the New York State Senate and House of Representatives

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